Community
8 May, 2025
Drivers encouraged to stay safe
CAMPERDOWN’S GRIT Legal is encouraging drivers to take breaks to fight fatigue as part of National Road Safety Week.
The road safety campaign runs from May 11 to May 18 and encourages drivers to take steps to reduce the risk of road trauma.
GRIT Legal director lawyer Ann Cunningham said road safety is close to the hearts of employees at GRIT Legal.
“We see the ripple effect of grief and turmoil first-hand when someone dies or is injured in a transport accident,” she said.
“So far in 2025, there have been 98 lives lost on Victorian roads – 62 per cent of these deaths occurred on regional roads.
“According to the Transport Accident Comission (TAC), if we accept this ‘road toll’ as the price of a rural lifestyle or getting from A to B, another 2500 people will die in the next 10 years and 50,000 people will be hospitalised with serious and life changing injuries.
“Although there are issues with the condition of regional roads, Victoria Police say that driver behaviour is largely contributing to road fatalities.”
GRIT Legal is focusing on fatigue as it is one of the leading factors which contributes to transport accidents, with up to 20 per cent of all accidents in Victoria linked to fatigue.
Young drivers are more likely to be involved in fatigue related crashes, but any driver can suffer tiredness, even on short trips.
Warning signs of fatigue in drivers include struggling to keep their eyes open; difficulty keeping to the centre of the road; blurred vision and eyes losing focus; driving on autopilot – driving and not being able to remember the previous few minutes of driving; becoming bored, irritable, impatient or aggressive; zoning out, losing concentration or having a wandering mind; and head nodding, jerking back up and nodding off to sleep.
Drivers who notice the warning signs of fatigue are encouraged to seek a safe place to stop, such as a rest area, tourist sport or Driver Reviver site, and take a break or have a 15-minute powernap.
Ms Cunningham said there were ways for drivers to reduce their risk of driving fatigued before getting behind the wheel, including sharing the driving where possible.
“Get a good night’s sleep – ideally at least seven hours of good, undisturbed sleep,” she said.
“Avoid driving at times you’re normally sleeping.
“Understand the effects any medication you're taking might have on your driving.
“Take regular breaks – at least every two hours.
“When you know you’re fatigued, avoid driving altogether – take a taxi, public transport or rely on another driver.”
Read More: local, Camperdown